Connections

Kenny McPeek

Trainer

McPeek's best finish in the Kentucky Derby came in 1995 with Tejano Run, who ran second. He won the 2002 Belmont Stakes with Sarava the longest shot on the board at 70-1. His horse, Noble’s Promise, finished fifth in the 2010 Kentucky Derby. Tejano Run became McPeek’s first standout runner in 1995. The colt was purchased for $20,000 and made $1.1 million on the racetrack helping showcase McPeek's talents in purchasing horses and developing them into talented runners. In 2005, McPeek took time away from training horses to focus on being a bloodstock agent. He originally purchased Curlin for $57,000 in 2007 for owners Midnight Cry Stable, who later sold Curlin to Jess Jackson for an estimated $3.5 million. McPeek returned to training in 2006 and opened his own training farm in Lexington called Magdalena. McPeek graduated from University of Kentucky and went to New York to interview for a position as a stockbroker, but instead went to work for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey as a hot walker. His father Ron McPeek owned horses and was Ken’s first client when he took out a trainer’s license in 1985. The Mcpeek trained Golden Ticket won the G-1 Travers in 2012. Ken tied for leading trainer at the Churchill Downs 2012 Fall Meet. Top stakes winners in the McPeek stable have included, Repent, Take Charge Lady, Harlan's Holiday, She's A Devil Due, Bizzy Caroline, Kathmanblu, Salty Strike and Pure Fun.

Willie Martinez

Jockey

Martinez came to the U.S. in 1988 and began working as a groom and hotwalker at Finger Lakes Race Track in New York. He took out his jockey’s license in 1989 and won his first race at Tampa Bay Downs. Martinez has won riding titles at Elli Park, Tampa Bay, Turfway Park, Keeneland, and Hileah Park. He rode Brass Hat to wins in the 2006 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park and New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds. Martinez has ridden in three Kentucky Derbys: Mahogany Hall in 1994, Shammy Davis in 1997, and Valhol in 1999. Top mounts have included: Noble’s Promise, Brass Hat and Trinniberg.

Chasing Dreams Racing 2011 LLC

Owner

Charles Kidder, Ben Kidder, and Nancy Cole

Breeder

Charles “Chuck” and Nancy have been married since 1989. Ben is Chuck’s son from a previous marriage.
Ben works on the family farm Corner Woods Farm, while Chuck and Nancy practice reproductive medicine for Thoroughbreds, primarily dealing with broodmares and foals through the yearling stage.
In addition to their practice, both Chuck and Nancy are active breeders and pin hookers at the sales.
They own about 70 broodmares in various partnerships and have about 12 horses in training.
In 2004 they owned Stellar Jayne, who ran third in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and would sell at Fasig Tipton November sale for $3.6 million.
Best horse bred by Chuck and Nancy has been the Grade I winner Informed Decision, who won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Noble’s Promise was a Keeneland November purchase for $10,000.

Pedigree

Cuvee--The Devil's Trick, by Clever Trick

Nobles’ Promise is by Cuvee, who achieved his biggest success in races up to seven furlongs.

Cuvee’s stakes wins include the Futurity S. (G1) at seven furlongs and the Saratoga Special S. (G2) at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Noble’s Promise is Cuvee’s most successful offspring to date.

Noble’s Promise’s dam, The Devil’s Trick, is by sprint specialist Clever Trick and is a half-sister to New Economy, who captured the La Prevoyante H. (G2) over 1 1/2 miles on grass.

Far Beyond, the third dam of Noble’s Promise, is the ancestress of champion turf mare Soaring Softly, a multiple Grade 1 winner at 10 furlongs and beyond, and Plenty of Grace, who captured the 1990 Yellow Ribbon Invitational (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

This female family is also responsible for Canadian champion Wavering Girl and her Grade 1-winning son Military, as well as Grade 2 heroes Diabolical, Duality, Tricky Creek, Parade Ground, Parade Leader and Speed Dialer.

While there is plenty of class in this female family, the sprint-heavy male line and broodmare sire line suggest Noble’s Promise might have some distance limitations.